An international boiler expert helps industry professionals take advantage of high voltage electrode boilers’ virtually 100% efficient, zero-emission capabilities, providing guidance on selection and installation For consulting engineers tasked with planning, designing, and supervising construction projects for a wide range of industries, advanced electric boilers – particularly high voltage electrode boilers – offer numerous advantages Read more
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An international boiler expert helps industry professionals take advantage of high voltage electrode boilers’ virtually 100% efficient, zero-emission capabilities, providing guidance on selection and installation
For consulting engineers tasked with planning, designing, and supervising construction projects for a wide range of industries, advanced electric boilers – particularly high voltage electrode boilers – offer numerous advantages over traditional fossil fuel burning boilers. Due to advances in technology, these boilers can match the capacity (up to 65 MW) and output (270,000 pounds of steam per hour) of traditional gas or oil-fired boilers in a much smaller footprint while converting almost all the energy to heat.
These zero-emission, high voltage electrode boilers are used in diverse environments for applications such as centralized heating, power plants, nuclear stations, swing-load balancing, solar/wind energy consumption, and fuel boiler replacement.
Today, there is growing interest in utilizing a new generation of these boilers as an environmentally friendly decarbonization solution. Companies across the globe are considering using electric boilers to become carbon neutral in alignment with COP26 UN Climate Change Conference targets. The transition to electric boilers also aligns with U.S. goals to achieve a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and net zero emissions economy by 2050.
Electric boilers are emerging as more environmentally friendly solutions than traditional gas-fired units that emit not only the notorious greenhouse gasses carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), but also dangerous nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrous oxide (N2O), as well as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter (PM).
“Communities and businesses appreciate the eco-friendly nature of ultra-efficient, electric boilers. Without combustion, these boilers are safe, clean, and emission free. The design eliminates many environmental issues associated with fuel burning boilers, such as fuel fumes, fly ash, and large obtrusive exhaust stacks,” says Robert Presser, Vice President of Acme Engineering, a manufacturer of industrial and commercial boilers.
However, the challenge for consulting engineers is that many have experience with gas-fired boilers but are less familiar with the selection and implementation of advanced electric boilers, especially the high voltage, high-capacity alternatives available today.
To bridge the knowledge gap, boiler technology expert Robert Presser explains what consulting engineers most need to understand about electric boiler technology, including its selection, implementation, and benefits. Acme, which has operations in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, provides state-of-the-art boilers and accessories for some of the world’s most renowned companies including Siemens, Toshiba, Bechel, PG&E, Power & Mine, and Hydro Quebec.
Types of Electric Boilers
The first factor to consider in selecting an electric boiler is how much capacity will be required by the user, business, or community.
According to Presser, lower voltage (480 KV) electric resistance heating element boilers are economical, compact, reliable sources to produce steam or hot water for industrial use. The units are well suited to supply these resources at lower capacities, from 9 to 3,600 kW.
However, there are design limitations when heating element boilers exceed 4 MW in capacity, as numerous flanges, elements, contactors, and fuses are typically necessary to function properly. The considerable amperage involved also requires expensive bars for distribution, step-down transformers, and large switch gear.
To avoid these complications at capacities of 4 MW or higher, high voltage jet type and immersed electrode boilers were developed.
High Voltage Electrode Boilers
In the high voltage category, electrode boilers consist of two basic types: immersion and water jet.
In resistance element type boilers, current flows through a resistance wire, which generates heat. The heat is transferred through the element’s sheaf and into the water by conduction to produce hot water or steam.
“With the immersed electrode design, electric current is passed through the water from the electrodes to the counter electrodes [grounded via the vessel’s shell]. The more direct the exposure between counter electrode shield and the electrode, the greater the current draw [amperage] and the more power is produced in hot water or steam,” explains Presser.
Modern jet type electrode boilers utilize the conductive and resistive properties of water to carry electric current and generate steam. An AC current from the grounded central column to a minimum of one electrode box per phase, using the water as a conductor. Since the water has electrical resistance, the current flow generates heat directly in the water itself.
“The more current [amps] that flows, the more heat [BTUs] is generated, and the more steam is produced,” says Presser.
High voltage jet or immersed electrode boilers directly connect to high voltage supply lines from 4.16 KV – 25 KV. Hot water boilers are filled with treated water to create a closed loop system.
According to Presser, the maximum capacity of the boiler can be adjusted by varying the conductivity, which is determined by the temperature and boiler capacity. Typically, a conductivity monitor is installed in the piping and any adjustments are automatically made with chemical treatment.
When it comes to installation, consulting engineers need to consider whether there is sufficient high voltage power, and if a new transformer will be required.
“For these high voltage electrode boilers, the incoming voltage typically required by code is a 4-Wire, three-phase wye wiring configuration, and the phases must be balanced,” says Presser.
In addition, it is necessary to ensure that there is sufficient available space to bring in and install the electrode boilers. This includes determining that there is adequate access into buildings and elevators as well as enough clearance through hallways and doors. When space is limited, Acme’s Slim Series resistance boilers units are designed to produce ample hot water while easing conversion and installation with an ability to “squeeze through” narrow passageways and fit into smaller spaces without costly demolition.
The Benefits of Electric Boilers
For consulting engineers considering the use of electric boilers, there are numerous advantages over gas fired units. These include very high energy efficiency and output control, along with increased safety and other benefits.
Energy Efficiency
Although traditional gas fired boilers are familiar, the design is inherently less efficient than modern electric units. Within this category, the energy efficiency of electrode boiler technology offers extraordinarily efficient power-to-heat generation capability.
“With an electrode boiler, you get out of it what you put into it. Basically, you don’t have a decline in efficiency,” says Presser.
With electrode boilers, almost all the electrical energy is converted into heat with no stack or heat transfer losses. This level of efficiency is not achievable in fuel-fired steam boilers even when using an economizer.
In the case of Acme’s CEJS, which has a boiler capacity from 6MW to 68MW, the electrode boiler operates at distribution voltages from 4.16 to 25 KV. The unit is up to 99.9% efficient at converting energy into heat. The boiler can produce steam in capacities up to 270,000 pounds per hour, with pressure ratings from 75 PSIG to 500 PSIG.
Output Control
High voltage electric boilers also offer superior control of energy output. The control system automatically monitors factors such as water level, steam pressure, conductivity, and electrical imbalances so energy input and adjustment is precise, and virtually immediate.
“In contrast, increasing or decreasing the temperature in a gas fired boiler is a slower process because it takes time for the heat in the boiler to rise or dissipate before reaching the targeted output,” says Presser.
As an example, advanced high voltage electrode steam boilers like Acme’s CEJS can control the capacity progressively from 0%-100% and have a 100% turndown ratio (the ratio between a boiler’s maximum and minimum output). Most gas boilers have a ratio of 10:1 or 5:1, which means the units require a much higher minimum output level to function and take a significant time to reach full capacity.
“With a 100% turndown ratio [in a high voltage jet-type electrode unit], you can leave the boiler in standby at low pressure and bring it to full capacity in about 90 seconds as needed, which no other boiler type can achieve today,” says Presser.
High voltage immersion steam boilers like Acme’s CEJWS can control the capacity progressively from 10%-100%.
“From hot stand-by, both the CEJS and the CEJWS steam boilers reach 100% capacity in one minute,” says Presser. He adds that stand-by insulation losses never exceed 10KW even for large boilers.
Increased Safety
High voltage electric boilers are inherently much safer to use than traditional, combustion-fueled boilers, which can emit harmful vapors, leak gas, and even cause explosions and fires.
“With gas burning boilers, any gas leak can increase the risk of an explosion wherever there are fuel lines, fumes, flames, or storage tanks. So, gas units must be continually monitored or periodically inspected,” says Presser.
In gas-fired boilers, explosions can result in the ignition and instantaneous combustion of highly flammable gas, vapor, or dust that has accumulated in a boiler. The force of the explosion is often much greater than the boiler combustion chamber can withstand. Minor explosions, known as flarebacks or blowbacks, can also suddenly blow flames many feet from firing doors and observation ports, seriously burning anyone in the path of a flame.
Natural gas-fired boiler emissions also pose potential hazards in the form of emissions. In addition, fossil fuel burning boilers can face potentially dangerous operational issues stemming from excessive heat accumulation.
Modern electric boilers eliminate many of these risks, so can dramatically improve both operator and environmental safety.
“With the jet type electrode boilers, there are no combustion hazards because there are no flames, fumes, fuel lines or storage tanks, which minimizes the risk of explosions and fires,” says Presser. In case of an electrical short, the breaker that protects the high voltage circuit trips in a matter of milliseconds, protecting the boiler and the electrical network. There is no chance of electrical mishap or fire from the boiler.
“Electric boilers, and specifically the electrode units, are inherently the safest boiler design today. These units do not need an operator because if anything goes wrong, the breaker trips, preventing further escalation of the issue,” says Presser.
Since the design does not rely on combustion, it does not create emissions that would endanger the operator or environment. In addition, the design eliminates common environmental problems associated with fossil fuel burning boilers such as fuel fumes, fly ash, and large obtrusive exhaust stacks.
Although consulting engineers are experts in their designated fields of expertise, keeping up to date with the latest developments in advanced electric boiler technology can provide significant advantages in providing hot water and steam for a variety of industrial purposes.
Understanding how to select, specify, and install electric boilers for the specific situation will conserve substantial energy, space, and resources compared to fuel-fired options. In addition, it will not only facilitate project success but also a safer environment that helps combat global warming.
For more info, contact Robert Presser at Acme Engineering via e mail: rpresser@acmeprod.com; phone: (514) 342-5656; or web: acmeprod.com/hv-electrode-boilers.
Written by Chris Carrier, RWC Senior Marketing Director The shortage of plumbers our industry is dealing with has become so serious, it’s making headlines in the business world. An article in Bloomberg Businessweek’s March 2024 issue puts the problem in a national context: “America’s Plumber Deficit Isn’t Good for the Economy.” The article elaborates with a slew of Read more
Written by Chris Carrier, RWC Senior Marketing Director
The shortage of plumbers our industry is dealing with has become so serious, it’s making headlines in the business world. An article in Bloomberg Businessweek’s March 2024 issue puts the problem in a national context: “America’s Plumber Deficit Isn’t Good for the Economy.” The article elaborates with a slew of stats that back up this subheading: “Young people are shunning an occupation that’s physically demanding and sometimes dirty, though well paid.
While the labor shortage isn’t new to those who have been in the industry long, it’s worth exploring the main cause of it and ways to get more people into the trade right now.
Understanding the plumbing recruitment crisis: The age factor
Age plays two roles in the plumber shortage. A large portion of the current plumbing workforce is nearing retirement age, and recruiting young people into plumbing is proving difficult. Although the recruitment pipeline is leaking at both ends, the jobs are there for the taking, with plenty of new opportunities opening. The latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects there will be nearly 43,000 job openings for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters each year through 2032. These jobs mostly result from the need to replace workers who retire, change occupations or leave the workforce.
Knowing plumbing is one of the steadiest industries, how can plumbing business owners stay staffed with good plumbers? The truth is that it’s going to take some convincing.
Images courtesy of SharkBite Plumbing Solutions.
Repairing the leaky recruitment pipeline through education
If you run a plumbing company, the most concerning consequence of the labor shortage is the challenge of keeping enough good plumbers on your team. In the skilled trades, recruiting hinges on educating recruits. Raising awareness of opportunities is foundational. Many young Americans are simply unaware of the specialty options, job security and earning potential in plumbing. As an industry, we must invest more resources in promoting the plumbing profession. Just ask Mark Brown, a Philadelphia high school plumbing program instructor.
“There are so many people in our country who struggle with finding a suitable career path for them, and I believe it’s due to lack of exposure to career choices such as plumbing,” Brown said. After telling young people an opportunity exists, we need to convince them to explore it. To be persuasive, explain why plumbing is an excellent career option. Then dispel the myths and be open and truthful about the hard parts. Any recruiting efforts—whether joint or solo, online, printed or spoken—should start by selling the benefits, including:
Clint McCannon owns Cannon Plumbing in Braselton, Georgia.
Job security and stability
When you need a plumber, it’s rarely optional. Plumbing is an essential service with consistent demand, providing long-term job security and protection against economic downturns. For example, when the COVID pandemic put millions out of work, plumbers stayed on the job with a steady income.
“I was really nervous when COVID hit,” said Clint McCannon, owner of Cannon Plumbing in Braselton, Georgia. “I didn’t know what was going to happen. Our numbers were up over 35%, and it didn’t slow down. It sped up. Even when the economy is going down, if it’s something they can’t handle on their own, they’re going to call you.”
Given the plumber shortage, it’s highly unlikely that this career benefit will change anytime soon. Even as technological advances disrupt other trades, in plumbing, new technology tends to make the work easier rather than displacing the workers.
High earning potential
Plumbers enjoy competitive wages, and many have opportunities for overtime and bonuses. Their extent varies depending on the employer and specific job role. Even without pursuing overtime or bonuses, plumbers can enjoy a financially rewarding career free from the burden of student debt.
A high school diploma or equivalent is the standard education requirement for starting paid training or trade school. The BLS lists the 2023 median pay at $61,550 per year ($29.59 per hour), up from $60,090 in 2022 ($28.89 per hour), with plumbers at the high end of the spectrum earning a six-figure salary.
Geography greatly influences earnings, with average wages varying by state, based partly on the cost of living. According to Consumer Affairs, Illinois ranks highest with an annual average wage of $88,000, while Arkansas is at the bottom with plumbers earning $47,000 on average. Nationally, the top 10% of wage earners made more than $101,000 annually, and industry wages have been climbing steadily since at least 2012.
Paid training as an apprentice plumber
You don’t need any prior experience to start training to become a plumber, and once you apply for and secure an apprenticeship, it’s paid training on the job. Vocational-technical schools and unpaid pre-apprenticeships are the most common routes people take before getting on-the-job experience.
Choosing a paid plumbing apprenticeship over attending college with an unpaid internship can be a game-changer. With an apprenticeship, you’re earning money from day one while learning a valuable trade, rather than racking up student debt. You earn hands-on experience, real-world problem-solving skills and a direct path to a rewarding career in a high-demand field.
Apprenticeships also provide a structured learning environment where mentors are invested in your success, ensuring you gain both practical knowledge and industry credentials. For anyone looking to build a stable and prosperous future without the financial burden of college, a paid apprenticeship offers a practical and lucrative track.
Leslie McGlenen owns Pipe Wench Plumbing & Heating.
Career advancement opportunities
The plumbing profession also offers clear pathways for advancement, including opportunities to become a well-paid master plumber, start your own business or move into management roles. After finishing a plumbing apprenticeship, career advancement in the U.S. plumbing industry typically follows a structured path.
First, you become a journeyman plumber, gaining more responsibilities and independence. With experience and further certification, you can advance to a master plumber, which opens doors to higher-paying jobs and leadership roles. Any apprentice can become a master in this trade if they’re dedicated, and it pays to work your way up. An HR technology company called PayScale reports that in 2023, the median pay of a master plumber went up to $82,700—a jump of 21% from 2022.
Some plumbers eventually become contractors or specialize in areas like pipefitting, leading to even more career opportunities. Some of the most profitable plumbing businesses are owned or managed by plumbers who started as apprentices. Lesley McGlenen owns and operates Pipe Wench Plumbing & Heating in British Columbia, Canada.
“I got a lot of experience as a young apprentice,” she said. “Most of the time, I was the only apprentice at this company, so I got to work under three skilled journeymen who did different parts of the job. Depending on who I was working under, I learned different techniques.”
Successful franchise owners like Lesley can expand their businesses, creating a comfortable income and good jobs.
Kim Yeagley owns Gold Canyon Plumbing in Gold Canyon, Arizona.
Job satisfaction and community impact
Plumbers play a vital role in maintaining public health and safety. Being an essential part of your community’s workforce provides a sense of pride and fulfillment for those who appreciate making a tangible difference in people’s lives, homes and workplaces.
“When you leave, you’ve fixed their problem, you’ve made their day. That’s a good feeling inside,” said Kim Yeagley, owner of Gold Canyon Plumbing in Gold Canyon, Arizona. Despite the occasional dirty conditions, the satisfaction of solving problems and providing essential services to your community is genuinely rewarding. And like other skilled trades, plumbers take pride in their craftsmanship and enjoy building something from scratch. As a plumber, you can also choose to prioritize family and personal time.
“I don’t live to work. I work to live,” said Russel Sweeney, owner of Sweeney Remodeling and Plumbing in Jacksonville, Florida. “Through the years, I’ve learned that there is a necessity for work-life balance.”
Flushing fears and reconfiguring perceptions of plumbing
While there are many benefits in plumbing, there are still a lot of misconceptions and valid concerns that must be addressed in recruitment, including:
Physical demands
Don’t sugarcoat it. Plumbing is physically strenuous, often involving heavy lifting, strong tool work, awkward positions and repetitive movements. But desk jobs aren’t for everyone either. Plumbing can be a great career fit for people who love working with their hands. Former plumbing apprentice Anna Pearson said an office job just wouldn’t suit her.
“Forty hours out of my life every single week, being stuck in a cubicle, it’s just my actual nightmare,” she said.
Modern equipment helps with the physically challenging aspects. Advancements in technology and tools have made most tasks easier and more efficient than in decades past. For example, push fittings like SharkBite Max make it easy for new plumbers to start repairing and reconfiguring pipes with minimal instruction, performing smaller jobs in just minutes. They also help plumbers get in and out of tight or uncomfortable spaces more quickly so they can put minimal strain on their bodies.
Russel Sweeney owns Sweeney Remodeling and Plumbing in Jacksonville, Florida.
Safety and working conditions
The job sometimes involves working in dirty and confined environments, which can be unappealing or seen as hazardous. Fortunately, plumbers of all types get paid to earn comprehensive safety training through their certifications that prepare them to handle potentially dangerous job site situations safely. Plus, safe working conditions are required by law. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces federally mandated safety standards that plumbing employers must comply with, which apply to both service and commercial plumbers. Employers provide all the necessary protective gear and equipment to ensure safety and comfort on tough jobs, including water-proof gloves, knee pads, safety glasses, hard hats and respirators.
Serious injuries are very rare for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters. Nonfatal injuries are also exceptionally rare for both residential plumbers and commercial plumbers who work on new builds, even though working in people’s homes is generally considered safer than plumbing on a construction site. In 2022, BLS data shows that out of 865 reported fall injuries, including slips and trips, only 27 involved plumbers (3%). The BLS lumped plumbers in with HVAC contractors. This group had no reported injuries that year from exposures to harmful substances or environments, and no injuries caused by contact with objects or equipment.
Social stigma and perception
The reality is that many college graduates have student debt and still earn less than the plumber they call to fix their toilet, but there’s a strong societal push toward college degrees in high school, leading many young people to overlook the trades as they’re considering a career path. In the absence of hard facts, students often view trades like plumbing as a less prestigious career compared to white-collar jobs.
However, plumbers earn competitive salaries with excellent job security because they’re essential to our homes, businesses and critical infrastructure. Remind recruits that this trade offers opportunities for entrepreneurship and a stable, upward career path, with the added satisfaction of helping people every day. Another perk is that you can live almost anywhere and still have excellent job prospects.
Job security concerns
Some mistakenly perceive plumbing as less stable compared to careers in rapidly growing tech and service sectors where layoffs are actually far more common. Layoffs are very rare in plumbing, even during recessions, and the labor shortage shows that’s unlikely to shift.
“It’s a very recession-proof job,” Sweeney said. Research firm IBISWorld reports that “constant demand keeps direct competition low.” Industry analysts expect a steady demand for plumbing services in new construction, and IBISWorld states that “refurbishment and maintenance of aging plumbing systems have remained steady streams of income for independent plumbers and companies alike. This will not change in the near future.”
If you encounter stability concerns as you do outreach, set the record straight and back it up with facts. The U.S. Department of Labor provides a helpful resource with its Occupational Outlook Handbook for Plumbers, Pipefitters and Steamfitters. This periodically updated handbook answers every question a plumbing recruit is likely to ask.
Training requirements
Extensive apprenticeships and on-the-job training can deter those looking to enter the workforce quickly. Plumbing apprenticeships can indeed last up to 5 years, but they allow you to earn a living while gaining hands-on experience in the field, providing valuable training without the high costs of a traditional degree.
Another option is vocational-technical programs that fast-track your plumbing career, offering practical skills, recognized certifications and employment immediately after graduating.
Mark Brown, a Philadelphia high school plumbing program instructor.
Take advantage of the facts
Whether it’s educational social media videos, partnering with trade schools or hosting open- house demonstrations in your community—whichever format, strategy or platform you choose for your recruiting efforts—take a fact-based approach. Reality is your ally in persuasion. With excellent job prospects and rising pay, it’s a great time to join the plumbing profession, and having the facts on your side can make recruiting a little easier. Take it from Pearson.
“I researched it for a few days, I saw nothing but good things,” the former plumbing apprentice said. “And so, I decided to go ahead and take the plunge.”
In a hydronic system, every installation is an opportunity to improve efficiency. The products you select for the job not only impact the installation of today but the performance of tomorrow. This is especially true when installing a boiler; the components you pair with the unit can mean the difference between a simple installation and Read more
In a hydronic system, every installation is an opportunity to improve efficiency. The products you select for the job not only impact the installation of today but the performance of tomorrow. This is especially true when installing a boiler; the components you pair with the unit can mean the difference between a simple installation and a smarter installation.
Auxiliary boiler accessories range in both form and function. The best products for the job should be designed to save time, space, and labor during installation. They should also provide controls to ease future maintenance and should protect the boiler and system components over time.
With these goals in mind, Webstone has developed the most complete selection of under boiler solutions available today. Its under boiler program is a single source for better installations, with products that also simplify and reduce the number of maintenance callbacks.
The Hydro-Core™ manifold simplifies the installation and service of the primary heating loop. This solution combines closely-spaced tees with isolation valves to achieve hydraulic separation for the heating loops, isolates the components within the loop, and purges the system. A T-Flow ball directs the flow into either the boiler or the drain, which can be configured in a number of ways to assist with purging, filling, and descaling/cleaning. Its compact, forged-brass body replaces up to 17 individual components, eliminates 16 leak paths, and saves over two hours of labor.
To improve overall system performance, the Air Separator uses a unique stainless-steel coalescing medium that captures both microbubbles and static air. The separated air collects in the top of the unit, where it forces a pin-guided float to drop down and open a vent. Once the air is released, the float rises once again and closes the vent. This reduces noise as well as wear on system components caused by trapped air in the pipes. The vertically mounted model is ideal for installing on the boiler outlet, where the air can be separated and vented before it reaches the rest of the system.
To protect the boiler from iron sludge that can accumulate in a hydronic system, consider the Magnetic Boiler Filter. Installed on the system return line, it captures ferrous and non-ferrous debris before it can reach the boiler using a high-powered 12,000 Gauss magnet and plastic filter. The drain makes it simple to remove accumulation, with a strapped cap that can be used to actuate the drain valve. A universal diverter allows the Magnetic Boiler Filter to be used in both horizontal and vertical piping orientations. The service tool is also included to help install and maintain the filter with ease.
Both the vertical mount Air Separator and Magnetic Boiler Filter are outfitted with removable G1 threaded end connections (available in sizes ¾” and 1”, with MIP, FIP, SWT, or Press ends), offering added versatility to any installation. These threads allow the installer to easily add isolation valves for future service, or a temperature gauge to verify boiler output right at the source.
A full-featured under the boiler installation from Webstone requires no more than 22” of space and delivers cleaner, more professional-looking results. Solutions are also available for boilers with external pumps and combi domestic hot water connections from the E-X-P™ Series of Tankless Water Heater Service Valves. To find all of these products and more, visit www.webstonevalves.com.
Accessory Provides Unobstructed Sightlines and Optimizes Heater Performance in Occupant Areas Marley Engineered Products (MEP), a leading choice among contractors for comfort heating and ventilation systems, has launched a new accessory for its line of infrared heaters to enhance comfort while providing unobstructed sightlines in occupant spaces. The Agency Listed Recessed Trim Kit enables MEP’s infrared heaters Read more
Accessory Provides Unobstructed Sightlines and Optimizes Heater Performance in Occupant Areas
Marley Engineered Products (MEP), a leading choice among contractors for comfort heating and ventilation systems, has launched a new accessory for its line of infrared heaters to enhance comfort while providing unobstructed sightlines in occupant spaces.
The Agency Listed Recessed Trim Kit enables MEP’s infrared heaters to be recessed completely into a ceiling to reduce the intrusive nature of overhead heating units and improve the aesthetics of any space. From high-end patios and hotel and lobby valet areas to other commercial spaces with overhangs, the accessory allows infrared heat to be used without the consequence of wind or inclement weather adversely affecting the heaters’ ability to provide hidden, comfortable and cozy heating.
“This Trim Kit is designed to provide a clean and finished look to heating installations while optimizing the performance of the heater,” explained Sharon Murphy, Senior Product Manager with Marley Engineered Products. “Providing enhanced heating efficiency, noise reduction, space-saving advantages and an aesthetically pleasing appearance, among other benefits, it is a valuable addition to any commercial building that prioritizes occupant comfort while also providing freeze protection and snow melting.”
Ideal for indoor/outdoor, total or spot-heating use, MEP offers radiant heaters with two-element or three-element designs for flexible sizing and concentrated heat in a single infrared unit. The heaters optimize short-wave infrared heat – which heats objects instead of the air around the heater – through heavy-gauge gold anodized reflectors. These reflectors allow for more than 60 percent of heat to be generated while the heating element itself accounts for the other 40 percent – meaning high-performance heating is matched by energy efficiency.
“Our infrared heaters feature cost-saving benefits and technological advancements that make a huge impact – no matter the application,” added Murphy. “They offer the ease of installation contractors prefer and the warmth and dependability that their customers require to warm icy cold entryways and keep blustery winds at bay.”
To reduce handling and installation times, the Trim Kit package features single-carton packaging and a trim ring installation bracket. The trim ring is offered in a variety of colors to match ceilings and complement a building’s appearance.
To learn more about the Recessed Trim Kit and MEP’s infrared heaters, visit www.marleymep.com.
By Jonathan Simon In plumbing, like many trades, knowledge is often shared plumber-to-plumber in the field. That allows experience to get passed from one generation to the next. But sometimes the information shared doesn’t keep up with new developments or, like a childhood game of “telephone,” gets distorted over time and becomes inaccurate. The result Read more
By Jonathan Simon
In plumbing, like many trades, knowledge is often shared plumber-to-plumber in the field. That allows experience to get passed from one generation to the next. But sometimes the information shared doesn’t keep up with new developments or, like a childhood game of “telephone,” gets distorted over time and becomes inaccurate. The result is the proliferation of “myths” that are accepted as true by some but are provably false. Here are five myths related to CPVC plumbing systems that the FlowGuard Gold® CPVC team has encountered in the field–and the truth behind the myth.
Myth 1: CPVC should be replaced when it shows signs of discoloration
It’s easy to see how some myths get started. A plumber may think that discoloration is an indication of structural weakness, decides the pipe needs to be replaced and passes that “tip” onto a younger plumber.
But older CPVC pipes that show signs of discoloration do not need to be replaced. CPVC naturally becomes more rigid as it ages and may discolor, but these factors do not increase the risk of failure in a properly installed and serviced system. In fact, the pressure-bearing capability of CPVC pipes improves with age, so, by that measure, an older CPVC pipe is actually stronger than it was when first installed.
It is recommended that plumbers use C-style cutters, a wheel cutter, or a fine-tooth saw when servicing older CPVC pipes, but there is no reason to remove the pipe from service due to discoloration. One of CPVC’s strengths is the material’s long service life—some of the first CPVC pipes ever installed back in the 1960s are still in service today–and discoloration is not a reason to shorten that service life.
Myth 2: CPVC is difficult or slow to install
Some myths are rooted in misperceptions and false assumptions while others can be traced to competitors seeking to gain traction in a competitive market. The myth that CPVC is difficult to install falls into the second category.
CPVC plumbing systems are similar to copper in their design. Both are rigid systems that use socket-style fittings in which the pipe fits into the fitting. But CPVC is easier to work with than copper and the solvent welding process used to bond CPVC pipes and fittings is simple, easy to learn and does not require any special tools. CPVC plumbing systems install faster than copper and have installation times that compare favorably to PEX systems.
Independent research studies that measured installation times for CPVC and PEX systems found that CPVC trunk-and-branch systems install up to 17% faster than comparable PEX trunk-and-branch systems. A PEX mini-manifold system installed 10% faster than a CPVC trunk-and-branch system but used 21% more pipe and the added material costs outweighed the time savings. Most plumbers with experience using both materials have reported no noticeable speed difference between CPVC and PEX plumbing systems.
Myth 3: CPVC can’t handle higher pressures and temperatures
A review of material specifications will quickly dispel this myth. Plumbing codes require that domestic water plumbing systems be capable of handling at least 100 psi of pressure at 180°F without ballooning or bursting. FlowGuard Gold pipes and fittings not only meet this requirement but are pressure rated to 400 psi at room temperature and above 200 psi at all temperatures up to 140°F. When subjected to extreme quick-burst testing, a solvent-welded FlowGuard Gold CPVC plumbing system will not typically fail until the system reaches pressures of 1200 psi or higher.
In addition, CPVC isn’t subject to additional temperature and pressure limitations imposed by chlorinated water on other plastic plumbing systems (140° F and 80 psi). That makes CPVC ideal for higher temperature applications such as hot water lines. It can even support legionella mitigation strategies that store water above 140°F. In multi-story buildings, CPVC’s excellent pressure rating enables use of gravity-fed distribution systems and booster pumps that can introduce risks to other plastic plumbing systems.
Myth 4 CPVC is not as sustainable as other plumbing systems
You might expect a plastic piping system like CPVC to be less sustainable than a metal system like copper, but CPVC has excellent sustainability credentials.
FlowGuard Gold CPVC requires less energy to manufacture and produces fewer greenhouse gases over its service life than PEX and copper systems. The material’s long service life, enabled by its chlorine immunity, means less material is ultimately required to support the application. Plus, CPVC is recyclable through proper centers.
FlowGuard Gold CPVC is also the only residential plumbing system certified by Home Innovation Labs National Green Building Standard (NGBS) and has a lifecycle assessment to contribute to LEED certification.
Myth 5: CPVC is more expensive than other plastic plumbing systems
Plumbers who haven’t compared material costs can be forgiven for believing CPVC is one of the more expensive plumbing systems. After all, FlowGuard Gold CPVC is the only material in the industry that offers a warranty that isn’t voided by exposure to chlorinated water, putting it in a class by itself. It doesn’t make sense that it should be less expensive, but it is. According to a cost study done by a leading PEX manufacturer, CPVC material costs were half the cost of their own PEX system.
These savings come from two key areas: fittings and pipe sizing. While a PEX system contains about 30% fewer fittings than a CPVC system, those fittings (and the crimp, cinch or expansion rings that go with them) typically cost 3-5 times more than the comparable CPVC fitting. In addition, because those insert fittings introduce significant pressure drop at ½” diameters, PEX systems are typically upsized to use more 1” and ¾” pipe than required with a CPVC system, saving even more money. You can verify this yourself by comparing PEX and CPVC costs on your next job.
Better Information Leads to Better Service
Plumbers looking to deliver the best service to their customers and grow their business should be careful not to take everything they hear at face value. There are resources available that provide reliable information about plumbing systems, including manufacturer websites. To get more information on CPVC, visit the plumber’s resource center on the FlowGuard Gold website.